The TBF Torpedo Bomber was created to replace the outdated Devastators, which suffered from insufficient speed and short range. The TBF, also known as the Avenger, had good range and load capacity and the ability to carry cargo inside the fuselage. It was an ideal solution for a carrier-based transport aircraft. During the war, the Avenger earned a reputation as a very accurate bomber.

One unique feature of the TBF-1 were its wings. After the plane landed, they were folded back onto the side of the fuselage and parallel to it. This was done to solve the problem of the insufficient height of aircraft carrier hangar decks, which conflicted with standard upward-folding wings. Thanks to hydraulic actuators, the wings could be retracted or extended by the pilot in just a few seconds, without any help from ground personnel.
The TBF was widely used during World War II by not only U.S. forces but also those of the UK and New Zealand. In the UK, the aircraft was named the Tarpon and was one of the most extensively used British torpedo-bombers.